Rafer Guzman is the film critic for Newsday and The Takeaway, and a member of the New York Film Critics Circle. Rafer has also been heard on "Soundcheck," "The Brian Lehrer Show" and the New York broadcast of "All Things Considered." On television, he is a frequent guest on NY1's "Talking Pictures on Demand."
He was previously a staff writer at The Wall Street Journal, where he covered travel and tourism, before joining Newsday as a rock critic in 2002. He has written about music for publications small and large, including Rolling Stone, Blender, The San Francisco Bay Guardian, The East Bay Express, The Buffalo News, The San Jose Metro, the New Times papers and Option magazine.
Rafer earned a bachelor's degree in English from UC Berkeley and graduated with honors from Columbia University's School of Journalism. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
Rafer Guzman appears in the following:
Can't-Miss Culture: Movies
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Newsday film critic Rafer Guzman with his can't-miss new movies.
The Golden Globes Make A Come Back
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
After years of scandal, the Golden Globes have made a comeback.
The Highs and Lows of 2019 Movies
Monday, December 30, 2019
Film critic Rafer Guzman weighs in on some overlooked highlights from 2019, and also talks about his least favorite movies of the year.
Can 'Joker' Turn Internet Outrage into Box Office Success?
Thursday, October 03, 2019
The Takeaway speaks with Newsday’s Rafer Guzman and New York Magazine’s Alison Willmore about "Joker" and whether the outrage surrounding its release is overblown or justified.
Tarantino's Treatment of Women in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and Beyond
Thursday, July 25, 2019
Director Quentin Tarantino is out with a new movie that raises familiar questions about his treatment of women and female characters.
'Yesterday' Tries to Keep Beatlemania Alive in 2019
Monday, July 01, 2019
Rock and roll no longer rules the music charts, but "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Rocketman," and "Yesterday" have all found Hollywood looking back at the genre’s heyday.
Can Hollywood Reverse a Slow Summer Movie Season?
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Hollywood’s reliance on sequels and reboots has not succeeded with audiences this summer. The Takeaway looks at whether the film industry can turn things around in the coming months.
'Booksmart' Marks a Wave of More Progressive Teen Films
Thursday, May 23, 2019
This Friday, Olivia Wilde's directorial debut, "Booksmart," hits theaters. It comes as part of a recent wave of teen movies that take a more modern look at high school relationships.
Indie Superhero Movies Face Off Against Blockbusters at the Box Office
Thursday, April 25, 2019
"Avengers: Endgame" is expected to make more than $260 million this weekend. "Fast Color," an indie superhero movie that centers around women of color, has struggled to find an audience.
Is Jordan Peele's "Us" the First Marxist Horror Film?
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Peele tackles race, class, and psycho-doppelgangers from a parallel universe in his follow-up to "Get Out."
Can 'Captain Marvel' Stand Up to Weighty Expectations?
Wednesday, March 06, 2019
'Captain Marvel' is the first movie from Marvel Studios to be headlined solely by a female superhero. The Takeaway speaks with two critics about whether the film lives up to the hype.
'Green Book' Nomination Raises Eyebrows
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
The film Green Book scored five Oscar nominations on Tuesday after winning the Producers Guild Award on Friday. But many people feel the film traffics in stereotypes.
The Best and Worst Movies of 2018
Monday, December 31, 2018
The Takeaway's film critic runs through his movie highs and lows from 2018.
Turn On, Tune Out: Relaxing Movies and TV to Watch Over the Long Weekend
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
What can you watch this holiday season to forget about current events? Film critic Rafer Guzman joins The Takeaway to give his picks for relaxing things to check out.
Does "Bohemian Rhapsody" Do Freddie Mercury Justice as a Queer Icon?
Thursday, November 01, 2018
The Takeaway explores how the new bio-pic "Bohemian Rhapsody," tells the story of Freddie Mercury’s life, music, and sexuality.
"First Man" Tells a Story of American Exceptionalism. Is it Still Relevant in 2018?
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Takeaway film critic Rafer Guzman and New York Times critic-at-large Wesley Morris dissect "First Man," and explore whether the story of Neil Armstrong is still relevant in 2018.
Rewatching Teen Flicks of the 80s with Modern Eyes
Thursday, October 04, 2018
What were teenagers like Brett Kavanaugh watching in the 80s? Many of the popular films of that time normalize rape culture.
"Crazy Rich Asians" Set to Make a Splash at the Box Office
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
"Crazy Rich Asians," one of the most talked about movies of the summer, is out today. The Takeaway gives its review.
Black Lives at the Multiplex
Thursday, July 19, 2018
This week's culture roundup looks at "Sorry to Bother You," "Blindspotting," and "BlacKkKlansman," three new films explicitly focused on issues of racism and black life.
The State of Onscreen Representation for the Disabled Community
Thursday, July 12, 2018
This Friday, there are two films coming out that feature individuals with disabilities. Both continue Hollywood's trend of casting big name, able-bodied stars as disabled characters.
